Backward-recursive path computation using RSVP-TE

ABSTRACT

One or more nodes, in a network, are configured to transmit a message, for computing diverse paths through the network from a first domain to a second domain using a Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) signaling protocol; generate at least one data structure that identifies multiple diverse entry points to the second domain; transmit the at least one data structure toward the first domain; complete the at least one data structure to form at least one completed data structure; use a first data structure, of the at least one completed data structure, to compute a primary path from the first domain to the second domain; and use a second data structure, of the at least one completed data structure, to compute a secondary path from the first domain to the second domain.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 61/733,821, filed Dec. 5, 2012, the contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Constraint-based path computation is a fundamental building block fortraffic engineering systems, such as Multiprotocol Label Switching(MPLS) and Generalized Multiprotocol Label Switching (GMPLS) networks.Performing path computation in large, multi-domain, multi-region, ormulti-layer networks can be quite complex and may require specialcomputational components and cooperation between the different networkdomains.

One existing approach to the path computation problem involves the useof a Path Computation Element (PCE)-based model. The PCE-based modelincludes a PCE entity that is capable of computing a network path orroute based on a network graph. The PCE is an application that can belocated within a network node or component or on an out-of-networkserver.

Multiple PCEs can be used to compute inter-domain shortest constrainedpaths across a predetermined sequence of domains using abackward-recursive path computation technique. The backward-recursivepath computation technique relies on communication between cooperatingPCEs. In particular, a path computation client (PCC) sends a request toa PCE in its domain. The request is forwarded between PCEs,domain-by-domain, until the PCE responsible for the domain containingthe LSP destination (i.e., the destination domain) is reached. The PCEin the destination domain creates a tree of potential paths to thedestination (referred to as a Virtual Shortest Path Tree or VSPT) andpasses the VSPT back to the previous PCE. Each PCE, in turn, adds to theVSPT and passes the VSPT back until the PCE in the source domain usesthe VSPT to select an end-to-end path that the PCE sends to the PCC.

SUMMARY

According to some example implementations, a method may includetransmitting a message, for computing diverse paths through a networkthat includes a group of domains, using a Resource ReservationProtocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) signaling protocol, where themessage may be transmitted from a first node in a first domain to asecond node in a second domain; generating, by the second node in thesecond domain, at least one data structure that identifies multiplediverse entry points to the second domain; transmitting the at least onedata structure toward the first node in the first domain; completing, bythe first node in the first domain, the at least one data structure toform at least one completed data structure, where the at least onecompleted data structure may identify multiple diverse exit points fromthe first domain and the multiple diverse entry points to the seconddomain; causing, using a first data structure of the at least onecompleted data structure, a primary path from the first domain to thesecond domain to be established, where the primary path may include afirst exit point, of the multiple diverse exit points from the firstdomain, and a first entry point of the multiple diverse entry points tothe second domain; and causing, using a second data structure of the atleast one completed data structure, a secondary path from the firstdomain to the second domain to be established, where the secondary pathmay include a second exit point, of the multiple diverse exit pointsfrom the first domain, and a second entry point of the multiple diverseentry points to the second domain.

According to some example implementations, a system may include a groupof nodes in a network that includes a group of sections. One or morenodes, of the group of nodes, may be configured to: transmit a message,for computing diverse paths through the network from a first section, ofthe group of sections, to a second section of the group of sections,using a RSVP-TE signaling protocol, where the message may be transmittedfrom a first node, in the first section, to a second node in the secondsection; generate, by the second node in the second section, at leastone data structure that identifies multiple diverse entry points to thesecond section; transmit the at least one data structure toward thefirst node in the first section; complete, by the first node in thefirst section, the at least one data structure to form at least onecompleted data structure, where the at least one completed datastructure may identify multiple diverse exit points from the firstsection and the multiple diverse entry points to the second section;cause, using a first data structure of the at least one completed datastructure, a primary path from the first section to the second sectionto be established, where the primary path may include a first exitpoint, of the multiple diverse exit points from the first section, and afirst entry point of the multiple diverse entry points to the secondsection; and cause, using a second data structure of the at least onecompleted data structure, a secondary path from the first section to thesecond section to be established, where the secondary path may include asecond exit point, of the multiple diverse exit points from the firstsection, and a second entry point of the multiple diverse entry pointsto the second section.

According to some example implementations, a system may include a groupof nodes in a network that includes a group of domains or layers. One ormore nodes, of the group of nodes, may be configured to: transmit amessage, for computing diverse paths through the network from a firstdomain or layer, of the group of domains or layers, to a second domainor layer of the group of domains or layers, using a RSVP-TE signalingprotocol, where the message may be transmitted from a first node, in thefirst domain or layer, to a second node in the second domain or layer;generate, by the second node in the second domain or layer, at least onedata structure that identifies multiple diverse entry points to thesecond domain or layer; transmit the at least one data structure towardthe first node in the first domain or layer; complete, by the first nodein the first domain or layer, the at least one data structure to form atleast one completed data structure, where the at least one completeddata structure may identify multiple diverse exit points from the firstsection and the multiple diverse entry points to the second domain orlayer; use a first data structure, of the at least one completed datastructure, to compute a primary path from the first domain or layer tothe second domain or layer, where the primary path may include a firstexit point, of the multiple diverse exit points from the first domain orlayer, and a first entry point of the multiple diverse entry points tothe second domain or layer; and use a second data structure, of the atleast one completed data structure, to compute a secondary path from thefirst domain or layer to the second domain or layer, where the secondarypath may include a second exit point, of the multiple diverse exitpoints from the first domain or layer, and a second entry point of themultiple diverse entry points to the second domain or layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate one or more implementationsdescribed herein and, together with the description, explain theseimplementations. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an overview of an example implementationdescribed herein;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example environment in which systems and/ormethods, described herein, may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example components of a routing device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of example components of a transport device of FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example process for establishing diversepaths across multiple domains;

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an example for establishing multiple diversepaths across multiple domains; and

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate another example for establishing multiple diversepaths across multiple domains.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the sameor similar elements.

An implementation, described herein, may compute inter-domain shortestconstrained paths across a predetermined sequence of domains using abackward-recursive path computation technique based on a ResourceReservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) signaling protocoland without using PCEs. As a result, PCE communication delays may beavoided, thereby improving performance.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an overview of an example implementationdescribed herein. Assume, for the overview of FIG. 1, that it is desiredto compute multiple, diverse paths from a domain A to a domain C via adomain B. A node, within domain A, may initiate VSPT messaging bysending a message to a node within domain B. As used herein, a node mayrefer to a network device, such as a routing device or a transportdevice. The node, within domain B, may send the message to a node withindomain C. A node, within domain C, may begin creating a VSPT withinformation identifying multiple entry nodes into domain C (i.e., nodesacting as entry points to domain C). The VSPT, at this point, mayinclude information for multiple, diverse paths terminating withindomain C. A node, within domain C, may send the VSPT to a node withindomain B.

A node, within domain B, may supplement the VSPT with informationidentifying multiple entry nodes into domain B (i.e., nodes acting asentry points to domain B) and information identifying multiple exitnodes from domain B (i.e., nodes acting as exit points from domain B)that connect to the entry nodes of domain C. Thus, the VSPT, at thispoint, may include information for multiple, diverse paths traversingdomain B and terminating within domain C. A node, within domain B, maysend the VSPT to a node within domain A.

A node, within domain A, may complete the VSPT with informationidentifying multiple exit nodes from domain A (i.e., nodes acting asexit points from domain A) that connect to the entry nodes of domain B.Thus, the completed VSPT may include information for multiple, diversepaths originating in domain A, traversing domain B, and terminatingwithin domain C. Once the multiple, diverse paths have been determined,a node, within domain A, may initiate establishment of the multiple,diverse paths using signaling, such as label switched path (LSP)signaling.

While systems and methods, as described herein, focus on computingshortest constrained paths across a sequence of domains, systems andmethods, as described herein, are not so limited. For example, systemsand methods, as described herein, may compute shortest constrained pathsacross a sequence of regions or layers, such as server layers, layersaccording to the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, or the like.The term “section” will be used herein to refer generally to domains,regions, and layers.

Further, while systems and methods, as described herein, focus oncomputing a primary (e.g., working) path and a secondary (e.g., back-upor protection) path across a sequence of domains, systems and methods,as described herein, are not so limited. For example, systems andmethods, as described herein, may compute any number of paths across thesequence of domains, such as a primary path and multiple secondarypaths.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example environment 200 in which systemsand/or methods, described herein, may be implemented. For example,environment 200 may include networks associated with multiple domains(shown as domain A, domain B, and domain C). While FIG. 2 shows threeexample domains, in practice, environment 200 may include additional orfewer domains.

Domain A may include multiple routing devices 210 (shown as routingdevices R1, R2, and R3). Domain B may include multiple transport devices220 (shown as transport devices T1, T2, T3, and T4). Domain C mayinclude multiple routing devices 210 (shown as routing devices R4, R5,and R6).

A routing device 210 may include a network device that transmits and/orreceives data signals. Examples of a routing device 210 include arouter, a switch, a gateway, a hub, or another type of data transferdevice. Routing device 210 may contain various components, such as inputand output components and a controller to direct the transmission of adata signal from an input component to an output component.

A transport device 220 may include a digital switching device (e.g., anOptical Transport Network (OTN) switch), a Dense Wavelength DivisionMultiplexing (DWDM) device, or a device that is a combination of adigital switching device and a DWDM device. For example, a transportdevice may perform digital or optical multiplexing operations (e.g.,receive individual data signals on individual channels and generate amultiplexed signal, such as a multiplexed digital signal or amulti-wavelength optical signal, that may be transmitted on a singlechannel), amplification operations (e.g., amplify the multiplexedsignal), add-drop multiplexing operations (e.g., remove one or more datasignals from the multiplexed signal), and/or demultiplexing operations(e.g., receive the multiplexed signal and separate the multiplexedsignal back into individual data signals that may be transmitted onindividual channels). To perform these operations, transport device 220may contain various components, such as a multiplexer (to perform themultiplexing operations), an amplifier (to perform the amplificationoperations), an add-drop multiplexer (e.g., a remotely configurableadd/drop multiplexer (ROADM)) (to perform the add-drop multiplexingoperations), and/or a demultiplexer (to perform the demultiplexingoperations).

While FIG. 2 shows a particular quantity and arrangement of domains anddevices, environment 200 may include additional domains/devices, fewerdomains/devices, different domains/devices, or differently arrangeddomains/devices than those illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, while notshown in environment 200, each domain may include additional routing ortransport devices to facilitate the transport of data signals. In otherwords, the routing devices and transport devices, shown in FIG. 2, aremerely shown as examples to facilitate an understanding of thedescription provided herein. The connections between routing and/ortransport devices may be wired connections, wireless connections, directconnections, or indirect connections.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of example components of a routing device 210. Asshown in FIG. 3, routing device 210 may include input components 310-1,310-2, . . . , 310-W (W≥1) (referred to collectively as “inputcomponents 310” and individually as “input component 310”), outputcomponents 320-1, 320-2, . . . , 320-X (X≥1) (referred to collectivelyas “output components 320” and individually as “output component 320”),switching fabric 330, and controller 340.

Input component 310 may include a component or a collection ofcomponents to process incoming data (e.g., data received on networklinks). Input component 310 may manage a port or a collection of portsvia which the data can be received. Input component 310 may performcertain operations on incoming data, such as decapsulation,encapsulation, demultiplexing, multiplexing, queuing, etc. operations,that may facilitate the processing and/or transporting of the incomingdata by other components of routing device 210.

Output component 320 may include a component or a collection ofcomponents to process outgoing data (e.g., data transmitted on networklinks). Output component 320 may manage a port or a collection of portsvia which data can be transmitted. Output component 320 may performcertain operations on outgoing data, such as encapsulation,decapsulation, multiplexing, demultiplexing, queuing, prioritizing, etc.operations, that may facilitate the processing and/or transmission ofthe outgoing data from routing device 210.

Switching fabric 330 may include one or more switching planes tofacilitate communication among input components 310, output components320, and/or controller 340. In some implementations, each of theswitching planes may include a single or multi-stage switch of crossbarelements. Switching fabric 330 may also, or alternatively, includeprocessors, memories, and/or paths that permit communication among inputcomponents 310, output components 320, and/or controller 340.

Controller 340 may include one or more processors, microprocessors,application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programming gatearrays (FPGAs), or the like that are optimized for networking andcommunications. Controller 340 may also include static memory (e.g., aread only memory (ROM)), dynamic memory (e.g., a random access memory(RAM)), cache memory, and/or flash memory for storing data and/ormachine-readable instructions.

Controller 340 may also communicate with other routing devices 210 toexchange information regarding network topology and labels to facilitatethe label switching of data. Controller 340 may perform MPLS functionsfor routing device 210, such as label lookups, label popping, swapping,and/or pushing operations, routing decisions, etc. Controller 340 mayalso assist in establishing diverse paths across domains.

While FIG. 3 shows a particular quantity and arrangement of components,routing device 210 may include additional components, fewer components,different components, or differently arranged components than thoseillustrated in FIG. 3. Also, a function described as being performed byone of these components may be performed by another component in someimplementations. For example, in some implementations, one or more ofthe functions of controller 340 may be implemented within inputcomponents 310, output components 320, and/or switching fabric 330.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of example components of a transport device 220. Asshown in FIG. 4, transport device 220 may include line cards 410-1,410-2, . . . , 410-Y (Y≥0) (referred to collectively as “line cards 410”and individually as “line card 410”), tributary modules 420-1, 420-2, .. . , 420-Z (Z≥0) (referred to collectively as “tributary modules 420”and individually as “tributary module 420”), and switching fabric 430.

Line card 410 may include hardware components, or a combination ofhardware and software components, that connect to a link and providesignal processing services. Line card 410 may include a receiver and/ora transmitter. The receiver may receive a digital (or optical) signalfrom a link, and perform various processing on the signal, such asdecoding, decapsulation, etc. The transmitter may perform variousprocessing on a signal, such as encoding, encapsulation, etc., andtransmit the signal on a link.

Tributary module 420 may include hardware components, or a combinationof hardware and software components, that terminate client signals. Forexample, tributary module 420 may support flexible adding-dropping ofmultiple services, such as OTN services, Synchronous OpticalNetworking/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SONET/SDH) services, GigabitEthernet (GbE) services, and Fibre Channel (FC) services. In someimplementations, tributary module 420 may encapsulate client signals ina data frame. The data frame may permit all types of services to betransparent and robustly managed.

Switching fabric 430 may include a switching architecture that permitscross-connects to be established between line cards 410, betweentributary modules 420, and/or between line cards 410 and tributarymodules 420.

While FIG. 4 shows a particular quantity and arrangement of components,transport device 220 may include additional components, fewercomponents, different components, or differently arranged componentsthan those illustrated in FIG. 4. For example, transport device 220 mayinclude line cards 410 and no tributary modules 420, or may includetributary modules 420 and no line cards 410. Additionally, oralternatively, transport device 220 may include a controller that mayassist in the operation of transport device 220, such as thetransmission of signals through transport device 220. Also, a functiondescribed as being performed by one of the components may be performedby another component in some implementations.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example process 500 for establishing diversepaths across multiple domains. In some implementations, one or moreblocks of process 500 may be performed by one or more routing devices210 and/or transport devices 220 within environment 200.

Assume for purposes of the description of process 500 that it isdesirable to compute diverse paths across a sequence of domains, such asthe sequence of domains shown in FIG. 2. Assume that the sequence ofdomains includes a source domain, a destination domain, and one or moreintermediate domains. There may be situations where there are nointermediate domains—rather, just a source domain and a destinationdomain.

In some situations, it may be desirable to compute diverse paths forrecovery purposes. For example, it may be beneficial to compute aprimary (e.g., working) path and a secondary (e.g., back-up orprotection) path. The secondary path may be used where there is afailure in the primary path. In other words, if there is a failure inthe primary path, traffic, which would have been transmitted over theprimary path, may be transmitted over the secondary path.

It may be desirable to compute a fully diverse path as the secondarypath. A fully diverse secondary path is a path that shares no nodes,links, interfaces, etc. with the primary path. A less-than-fully-diversesecondary path, on the other hand, is a path that may share one or morenodes, links, interfaces, etc. with the primary path, such as a sourcenode, a destination node, or an intermediate node (i.e., a node betweenthe source node and the destination node in the primary or secondarypath).

As shown in FIG. 5, process 500 may include transmitting a VSPT messagefrom a source domain toward a destination domain (block 505). Forexample, a source node may generate a VSPT message using, for example,the RSVP-TE signaling protocol. The VSPT message may identify one ormore source nodes (in the source domain) and one or more destinationnodes (in the destination domain) and may indicate whether fully diversepaths or less-than-fully-diverse paths are requested.

When the VSPT message indicates that fully diverse paths are requested,the VSPT message may include a request for multiple diverse VSPTs—e.g.,a first VSPT corresponding to the primary path and a second VSPTcorresponding to the secondary path. When the VSPT message indicatesthat less-than-fully-diverse paths are requested, the VSPT message mayinclude a request for a VSPT with alternate diverse entry and exitpoints for the source domain, the destination domain, and the one ormore intermediate domains.

The source node may transmit the VSPT message towards a destination nodein the destination domain. The VSPT message may be received by one ormore intermediate nodes, which may transmit the VSPT message until theVSPT message is received by the destination node.

Process 500 may include generating a VSPT with information for diversepaths at the destination domain (block 510). For example, thedestination node, based on receiving the VSPT message, may generate aVSPT. The VSPT, as described above, may include a data structure thatidentifies nodes associated with a path. In some implementations, theVSPT may take the form of a tree with roots, branches, leaves, etc.

The destination node may have information regarding the topology of thedestination domain but not the intermediate or source domains. Thus, thedestination node may begin constructing the VSPT with informationregarding entry points to the destination domain. In the situation wherethe source node requests fully diverse paths, the destination node maybegin constructing two VSPTs—each with a different entry point (i.e.,entry node) to the destination domain. In the situation where the sourcenode requests less-than-fully-diverse paths, the destination node maybegin constructing a single VSPT with multiple different entry points(i.e., entry nodes) to the destination domain.

Process 500 may include transmitting the VSPT toward the source domain(block 515). For example, the destination node may transmit the VSPT tozero or more other nodes in the destination domain, which may relay theVSPT to a node in an intermediate domain.

Process 500 may include supplementing the VSPT with information fordiverse paths at one or more intermediate domains (block 520). Forexample, the VSPT may be received at an intermediate node in anintermediate domain. The intermediate node may have informationregarding the topology of the intermediate domain but not thedestination or source domains or any other intermediate domains. Thus,the intermediate node may supplement the VSPT with information regardingentry points to the intermediate domain and exit points from theintermediate domain. An entry point, of an intermediate domain, islocated on a path closer to the source domain than the destinationdomain, and an exit point, of an intermediate domain, is located on apath closer to the destination domain than the source domain.

In the situation where the source node requests fully diverse paths, theintermediate node may supplement each of the two VSPTs—each with adifferent entry point (i.e., entry node) to the intermediate domain andeach with a different exit point (i.e., exit node) from the intermediatedomain. In the situation where the source node requestsless-than-fully-diverse paths, the intermediate node may supplement theVSPT with multiple different entry points (i.e., entry nodes) to theintermediate domain and multiple different exit points (i.e., exitnodes) from the intermediate domain.

Blocks 515 and 520 may be repeated one or more times for each additionalintermediate domain between the source domain and the destinationdomain. In other words, the intermediate node of a first intermediatedomain may transmit the VSPT to zero or more other nodes in the firstintermediate domain, which may relay the VSPT to a node in a secondintermediate domain. The node, in the second intermediate domain, maysupplement the VSPT with information regarding entry and exit points ofthe second intermediate domain, and may forward the VSPT to a node in athird intermediate domain or a node in the source domain.

Block 520 may be skipped when there is no intermediate domain betweenthe source domain and the destination domain. In this case, a node inthe destination domain may transmit the VSPT to a node in the sourcedomain.

In any event, the VSPT may be transmitted to and received by the sourcenode in the source domain. The source node may receive the VSPT from anode in an intermediate domain, a node in the destination domain, oranother node in the source domain.

Process 500 may include completing the VSPT at the source domain (block525). For example, the source node may receive the VSPT as describedabove. The source node may have information regarding the topology ofthe source domain but not the destination or intermediate domains. Thus,the source node may complete the VSPT with information regarding exitpoints from the source domain. The completed VSPT may includeinformation regarding nodes associated with multiple diverse pathsbetween the source domain and the destination domain.

In the situation where the source node requests fully diverse paths, thesource node may complete each of the two VSPTs—each with a differentexit point (i.e., exit node) from the source domain. In the situationwhere the source node requests less-than-fully-diverse paths, the sourcenode may complete the VSPT with multiple different exit points (i.e.,exit nodes) from the source domain.

Process 500 may include establishing primary and secondary labelswitched paths via the diverse paths (block 530). For example, thesource node (and/or another node in the source domain) may initiatesignaling to establish a primary label switched path and a secondarylabel switched path using the VSPT. Assume that the primary labelswitched path corresponds to the primary path, and the secondary labelswitched path corresponds to the secondary path.

In the situation where the source node requests fully diverse paths, thesource node may initiate signaling to establish the primary labelswitched path using one of the two VSPTs, and another node, within thesource domain, may initiate signaling to establish the secondary labelswitched path using the other of the two VSPTs. In this case, theprimary label switched path may include no nodes in common with thesecondary label switched path.

In the situation where the source node requests less-than-fully-diversepaths, the source node may initiate signaling to establish both theprimary and secondary label switched paths using the VSPT. In this case,the primary label switched path may include one or more nodes in commonwith the secondary label switched path, such as a common source node, acommon destination node, and/or a common intermediate node.

To establish a label switched path (either the primary label switchedpath or the secondary label switched path), control messages (e.g.,GMPLS control messages) may be sent from node-to-node on the labelswitched path and include information for setting up and storing controlplane labels for a control plane tunnel. These control messages mayalso, or alternatively, include information for setting up and storingdata plane labels for a data plane tunnel. In other words, the samecontrol messages may include information for setting up control planelabels, and information for setting up data plane labels. Establishing acontrol plane tunnel or a data plane tunnel may also involve programmingthe switching fabric (e.g., switching fabric 430) of one or more nodesto establish the appropriate cross-connects through the switchingfabric.

The source node may transmit traffic (e.g., via the data plane tunnel)to the destination node on the primary label switched path (i.e., theprimary path). In the event of a failure on the primary label switchedpath, the source node may transmit traffic (e.g., via the data planetunnel) to the destination node on the secondary label switched path(i.e., the secondary path). In addition, VSPT messaging may be includedas part of the regular refresh cycles. As a result, label switched pathmodifications would not require an additional step that would be neededwhen using PCEs.

In some implementations, the primary path and the secondary path may bepre-computed to facilitate a switch-over from the primary path to thesecondary path in the event of a failure of the primary path. In otherimplementations, the primary path and/or the secondary path may becomputed in response to a failure of the primary path.

While a series of blocks has been described with regard to FIG. 5, theorder of the blocks may be modified in other implementations. Further,non-dependent blocks may be performed in parallel.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate an example for establishing multiple diversepaths across multiple domains. Assume, for the purpose of this example,that the multiple diverse paths are established in an environmentsimilar to environment 200 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, assumethat there are three domains: domain A, domain B, and domain C. Domain Aincludes three routing devices: routing device R1, routing device R2,and routing device R3. Domain B includes four transport devices:transport device T1, transport device T2, transport device T3, andtransport device T4. Domain C includes three routing devices: routingdevice R4, routing device R5, and routing device R6. The routing devicesand transport devices will be referred to generally as nodes. Assumethat the nodes are connected as shown in FIG. 2. Also assume that domainA is the source domain, domain B is the intermediate domain, and domainC is the destination domain.

To establish diverse paths between a source node (e.g., node R1) and adestination node (e.g., node R6), the source node R1 initiates VSPTmessaging using the RSVP-TE signaling protocol. For example, source nodeR1 may generate a VSPT message that includes a request for a VSPT thatincludes multiple diverse entry and exit points. The VSPT message mayidentify the destination node R6 and/or destination domain C. The sourcenode R1 transmits the VSPT message toward destination node R6 and/ordestination domain C by transmitting the VSPT message to node R2, whichserves as an exit point for source domain A (shown as (1) in FIG. 6A).The VSPT message may traverse one or more other nodes, in source domainA, before reaching node R2 (not shown in FIG. 6A).

Node R2 receives the VSPT message, identifies that the VSPT message isintended for destination node R6 and/or destination domain C, andtransmits the VSPT message to node T1, which serves as an entry pointfor intermediate domain B (shown as (2) in FIG. 6A). Node T1 receivesthe VSPT message, identifies that the VSPT message is intended fordestination node R6 and/or destination domain C, and transmits the VSPTmessage to node T3, which serves as an exit point for intermediatedomain B (shown as (3) in FIG. 6A). The VSPT message may traverse one ormore other nodes, in intermediate domain B, before reaching node T3 (notshown in FIG. 6A).

Node T3 receives the VSPT message, identifies that the VSPT message isintended for destination node R6 and/or destination domain C, andtransmits the VSPT message to node R4, which serves as an entry pointfor destination domain C (shown as (4) in FIG. 6A). Node R4 receives theVSPT message, identifies that the VSPT message is intended fordestination node R6, and transmits the VSPT message to destination nodeR6 (shown as (5) in FIG. 6A). The VSPT message may traverse one or moreother nodes, in destination domain C, before reaching destination nodeR6 (not shown in FIG. 6A).

Destination node R6 receives the VSPT message and analyzes the VSPTmessage to determine that source node R1 requests a VSPT with multiplediverse entry and exit points. Destination node R6 obtains topologyinformation regarding destination domain C. Destination node R6 may usethe topology information to identify diverse entry points to destinationdomain C. Assume that destination node R6 identifies node R4 and node R5as diverse entry points to destination domain C.

Destination node R6 may begin generating the VSPT. For example,destination node R6 may include, in the VSPT, information identifyingnodes R4 and R5 as two alternatives to reach destination node R6. In oneexample, destination node R6 may populate the VSPT with:

TE-dest=node R6; BN-en(1,DC)=node R4; BN-en (2,DC)=node R5,

where TE-dest refers to the destination node (i.e., node R6), BN-en(1,DC) refers to a node that serves as an entry point for domain C(i.e., node R4) for the primary path, and BN-en (2,DC) refers to a nodethat serves as an entry point for domain C (i.e., node R5) for thesecondary path.

Destination node R6 transmits the VSPT to node R4 (shown as (6) in FIG.6A). Node R4 receives the VSPT and sends the VSPT to node T3 (shown as(7) in FIG. 6A). Node T3 obtains topology information regardingintermediate domain B. Node T3 may use the topology information toidentify diverse entry points to intermediate domain B and diverse exitpoints from intermediate domain B. Assume that node T3 identifies nodeT1 and node T2 as diverse entry points to intermediate domain B, andnode T3 and node T4 as diverse exit points from intermediate domain B.

Node T3 may supplement the VSPT. For example, node T3 may include, inthe VSPT, information identifying nodes T1, T2, T3, and T4. In oneexample, node T3 may supplement the VSPT with:

BN-en (1,DB)=node T1; BN-en (2,DB)=node T2;

-   -   BN-ex (1,DB)=node T3; BN-ex (2,DB)=node T4,        where BN-en (1,DB) refers to a node that serves as an entry        point for domain B (i.e., node T1) for the primary path, BN-en        (2,DB) refers to a node that serves as an entry point for domain        B (i.e., node T2) for the secondary path, BN-ex (1,DB) refers to        a node that serves as an exit point for domain B (i.e., node T3)        for the primary path, BN-ex (2,DB) refers to a node that serves        as an exit point for domain B (i.e., node T4) for the secondary        path.

Node T3 transmits the VSPT to node T1 (shown as (8) in FIG. 6A). Node T1receives the VSPT and sends the VSPT to node R2 (shown as (9) in FIG.6A). Node R2 forwards the VSPT to the source node R1 (shown as (10) inFIG. 6A). Source node R1 obtains topology information regarding sourcedomain A. Source node R1 may use the topology information to identifydiverse exit points from source domain A. Assume that node R1 identifiesnode R2 and node R3 as diverse exit points from source domain A.

Source node R1 may complete the VSPT. For example, node R1 may include,in the VSPT, information identifying nodes R1, R2, and/or R3. In oneexample, node R1 may supplement the VSPT with:

TE-src=node R1; BN-ex (1,DA)=node R2; BN-ex (2,DA)=node R3,

where TE-src refers to the source node (i.e., node R1), BN-ex (1,DA)refers to a node that serves as an exit point for domain A (i.e., nodeR2) for the primary path, and BN-ex (2,DA) refers to a node that servesas an exit point for domain A (i.e., node R3) for the secondary path.

As a result, source node R1 generates a VSPT that includes two diversepaths, with alternate entry and exit points, from source node R1 todestination node R6. The primary path includes: source node R1, node R2,node T1, node T3, node R4, and destination node R6. The secondary pathincludes: source node R1, node R3, node T2, node T4, node R5, anddestination node R6. The primary and secondary paths include alternateexit points from source domain A (i.e., nodes R2 and R3), alternateentry points to intermediate domain B (i.e., nodes T1 and T2), alternateexit points from intermediate domain B (i.e., nodes T3 and T4), andalternate entry points to destination domain C (i.e., nodes R4 and R5).

Once node R1 completes the VSPT, node R1 initiates primary labelswitched path signaling (FIG. 6B) and secondary label switched pathsignaling (FIG. 6C). As shown in FIG. 6B, source node R1 transmits oneor more control messages from node-to-node along the primary path todestination node R6 (shown as (11) through (15) in FIG. 6B). Each node,along the primary path, may store one or more labels, establish one ormore tunnels, configure one or more cross-connects through a switchfabric, and/or perform one or more other operations relating toestablishing the primary path. Upon successful establishment of theprimary path, destination node R6 may transmit one or moreacknowledgment messages from node-to-node along the primary path tosource node R1 (shown as (16) through (20) in FIG. 6B).

As shown in FIG. 6C, source node R1 transmits one or more controlmessages from node-to-node along the secondary path to destination nodeR6 (shown as (21) through (25) in FIG. 6C). Each node, along thesecondary path, may store one or more labels, establish one or moretunnels, configure one or more cross-connects through a switch fabric,and/or perform one or more other operations relating to establishing thesecondary path. Upon successful establishment of the secondary path,destination node R6 may transmit one or more acknowledgment messagesfrom node-to-node along the secondary path to source node R1 (shown as(26) through (30) in FIG. 6C).

As a result of the above process, two less than fully diverse paths maybe established across multiple domains. Data traffic may be transmittedover the primary path and, in the event of a failure of the primarypath, the data traffic may be switched over to the secondary path.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another example for establishing multiplediverse paths across multiple domains. Assume, for the purpose of thisexample, that the multiple diverse paths are established in anenvironment similar to environment 200 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIGS. 7Aand 7B, assume that there are three domains: domain A, domain B, anddomain C. Domain A includes three routing devices: routing device R1,routing device R2, and routing device R3. Domain B includes fourtransport devices: transport device T1, transport device T2, transportdevice T3, and transport device T4. Domain C includes three routingdevices: routing device R4, routing device R5, and routing device R6.The routing devices and transport devices will be referred to generallyas nodes. Assume that the nodes are connected as shown in FIG. 2. Alsoassume that domain A is the source domain, domain B is the intermediatedomain, and domain C is the destination domain.

To establish fully diverse paths between source domain A and destinationdomain C, a node (e.g., node R2), within source domain A, initiates VSPTmessaging using the RSVP-TE signaling protocol. For example, node R2 maygenerate a VSPT message that includes a request for multiple VSPTs thatinclude diverse entry and exit points. The VSPT message may identifydestination domain C and/or one or more nodes in destination domain C(e.g., node R4 or R5). Node R2 transmits the VSPT message toward nodeR4, node R5, and/or destination domain C by transmitting the VSPTmessage to node T1, which serves as an entry point for intermediatedomain B (shown as (1) in FIG. 7A). Node T1 receives the VSPT message,identifies that the VSPT message is intended for node R4, node R5,and/or destination domain C, and transmits the VSPT message to node T3,which serves as an exit point for intermediate domain B (shown as (2) inFIG. 7A). The VSPT message may traverse one or more other nodes, inintermediate domain B, before reaching node T3 (not shown in FIG. 7A).

Node T3 receives the VSPT message, identifies, for example, that theVSPT message is intended for node R4 and/or destination domain C, andtransmits the VSPT message to node R4, which serves as an entry pointfor destination domain C (shown as (3) in FIG. 7A). Node R4 receives theVSPT message and analyzes the VSPT message to determine that node R2requests multiple VSPTs with diverse entry and exit points. Node R4obtains topology information regarding destination domain C. Node R4 mayuse the topology information to identify diverse entry points todestination domain C. Assume that node R4 identifies node R4 and node R5as diverse entry points to destination domain C.

Node R4 may begin generating the VSPTs. For example, node R4 mayinclude, in a first VSPT, information identifying node R4, and mayinclude, in a second VSPT, information identifying node R5. In oneexample, node R4 may populate the first VSPT with:

TE-dest=node R4; BN-en (1,DC)=node R4,

where TE-dest refers to the destination node (i.e., node R4), and BN-en(1,DC) refers to a node that serves as an entry point for domain C(i.e., node R4) for the primary path. Continuing with this example, nodeR4 may populate the second VSPT with:

TE-dest=node R5; BN-en (2,DC)=node R5,

where TE-dest refers to the destination node (i.e., node R5), and BN-en(2,DC) refers to a node that serves as an entry point for domain C(i.e., node R5) for the secondary path.

Node R4 transmits the first and second VSPTs to node T3 (shown as (4) inFIG. 7A). Node T3 obtains topology information regarding intermediatedomain B. Node T3 may use the topology information to identify diverseentry points to intermediate domain B and diverse exit points fromintermediate domain B. Assume that node T3 identifies node T1 and nodeT2 as diverse entry points to intermediate domain B, and node T3 andnode T4 as diverse exit points from intermediate domain B.

Node T3 may supplement the first and second VSPTs. For example, node T3may include, in the first VSPT, information identifying nodes T1 and T3.In one example, node T3 may supplement the first VSPT with:

BN-en (1,DB)=node T1; BN-ex (1,DB)=node T3,

where BN-en (1,DB) refers to a node that serves as an entry point fordomain B (i.e., node T1) for the primary path, and BN-ex (1,DB) refersto a node that serves as an exit point for domain B (i.e., node T3) forthe primary path. Continuing with this example, node T3 may supplementthe second VSPT with:

BN-en (2,DB)=node T2; BN-ex (2,DB)=node T4,

where BN-en (2,DB) refers to a node that serves as an entry point fordomain B (i.e., node T2) for the secondary path, and BN-ex (2,DB) refersto a node that serves as an exit point for domain B (i.e., node T4) forthe secondary path.

Node T3 transmits the first and second VSPTs to node T1 (shown as (5) inFIG. 7A). Node T1 receives the first and second VSPTs and sends thefirst and second VSPTs to node R2 (shown as (6) in FIG. 7A). Node R2obtains topology information regarding source domain A. Node R2 may usethe topology information to identify diverse exit points from sourcedomain A. Assume that node R2 identifies node R2 and node R3 as diverseexit points from source domain A.

Node R2 may complete the first and second VSPTs. For example, node R1may include, in the first VSPT, information identifying node R2. In oneexample, node R2 may supplement the first VSPT with:

BN-ex (1,DA)=node R2,

where BN-ex (1,DA) refers to a node that serves as an exit point fordomain A (i.e., node R2) for the primary path. Continuing with theexample, node R2 may supplement the second VSPT with:

BN-ex (2,DA)=node R3,

where BN-ex (2,DA) refers to a node that serves as an exit point fordomain A (i.e., node R3) for the secondary path.

As a result, node R2 generates first and second VSPTs that include twofully diverse paths, with alternate entry and exit points, from sourcedomain A to destination domain C. The primary path includes: node R2,node T1, node T3, and node R4. The secondary path includes: node R3,node T2, node T4, and node R5. The primary and secondary paths includealternate source nodes (i.e., nodes R2 and R3), alternate exit pointsfrom source domain A (i.e., nodes R2 and R3), alternate entry points tointermediate domain B (i.e., nodes T1 and T2), alternate exit pointsfrom intermediate domain B (i.e., nodes T3 and T4), alternate entrypoints to destination domain C (i.e., nodes R4 and R5), and alternatedestination nodes (e.g., nodes R4 and R5).

Once node R2 completes the first and second VSPTs, node R1 initiatesprimary label switched path signaling (FIG. 7A) and secondary labelswitched path signaling (FIG. 7B). As shown in FIG. 7A, node R2 may makea decision and/or provide a signal to node R2 to initiate the primarylabel switched path signaling (shown as (7) in FIG. 7A). Node R2transmits one or more control messages from node-to-node along theprimary path to node R4 (shown as (8) through (10) in FIG. 7A). Eachnode, along the primary path, may store one or more labels, establishone or more tunnels, configure one or more cross-connects through aswitch fabric, and/or perform one or more other operations relating toestablishing the primary path. Upon successful establishment of theprimary path, node R4 may transmit one or more acknowledgment messagesfrom node-to-node along the primary path to node R2 (shown as (11)through (13) in FIG. 7A).

As shown in FIG. 7B (which repeats (1) through (6) from FIG. 7A tofacilitate understanding), node R2 may make a decision and/or provide asignal to node R2 to initiate the secondary label switched pathsignaling (shown as (14) in FIG. 7B). To initiate the secondary labelswitched path signaling, node R2 transmits a message to node R3 (shownas (15) in FIG. 7B). The message may include information regarding thesecond VSPT and/or an instruction to initiate label switched pathsignaling to establish the secondary path to node R5.

Node R3 transmits one or more control messages from node-to-node alongthe secondary path to node R5 (shown as (16) through (18) in FIG. 7B).Each node, along the secondary path, may store one or more labels,establish one or more tunnels, configure one or more cross-connectsthrough a switch fabric, and/or perform one or more other operationsrelating to establishing the secondary path. Upon successfulestablishment of the secondary path, node R5 may transmit one or moreacknowledgment messages from node-to-node along the secondary path tonode R3 (shown as (19) through (21) in FIG. 7B).

As a result of the above process, two fully diverse paths may beestablished across multiple domains. Data traffic may be transmittedover the primary path and, in the event of a failure of the primarypath, the data traffic may be switched over to the secondary path.

An implementation, described herein, may compute multiple diverse pathsacross a sequence of domains using a backward-recursive path computationtechnique based on the RSVP-TE signaling protocol and without usingPCEs.

The foregoing description provides illustration and description, but isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to theprecise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible inlight of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of theimplementations.

For example, while the description above relates to establishing diverseprimary and secondary paths across multiple domains, in someimplementations, similar operations may be performed to establishmultiple secondary (e.g., back-up or protection) paths across themultiple domains.

Also, while the description used VSPT as a data structure for conveyinginformation regarding the multiple diverse paths, in someimplementations, another type of data structure, such as a linked list,a hash table, an array, or the like, may alternatively be used.

Further, certain portions of the implementations have been described as“components” that perform one or more functions. The term “component,”as used herein, may include hardware, such as a processor, an ASIC, or aFPGA, or a combination of hardware and software. The term “hardwarecomponent,” as used herein, may refer to a component that is implementedstrictly in hardware, such as an ASIC or a FPGA.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure of the possible implementations. Infact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specificallyrecited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Althougheach dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one otherclaim, the disclosure of the possible implementations includes eachdependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application shouldbe construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described assuch. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include oneor more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Whereonly one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used.Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least inpart, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: transmitting a message, forcomputing diverse paths through a network that includes a plurality ofdomains, using a Resource Reservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering(RSVP-TE) signaling protocol, the message being transmitted from a firstnode in a first domain, of the plurality of domains, to a second node ina second domain of the plurality of domains; generating, by the secondnode in the second domain, at least one data structure that identifiesmultiple diverse entry points to the second domain; transmitting the atleast one data structure toward the first node in the first domain;completing, by the first node in the first domain, the at least one datastructure to form at least one completed data structure, the at leastone completed data structure identifying multiple diverse exit pointsfrom the first domain and the multiple diverse entry points to thesecond domain; causing, using a first data structure of the at least onecompleted data structure, a primary path from the first domain to thesecond domain to be established, the primary path including a first exitpoint, of the multiple diverse exit points from the first domain, and afirst entry point of the multiple diverse entry points to the seconddomain; and causing, using a second data structure of the at least onecompleted data structure, a secondary path from the first domain to thesecond domain to be established, the secondary path including a secondexit point, of the multiple diverse exit points from the first domain,and a second entry point of the multiple diverse entry points to thesecond domain, wherein the primary and secondary paths are not computedusing a Path Computation Element (PCE).
 2. The method of claim 1, wherethe message indicates whether a fully diverse path or a less-than fullydiverse path is requested, and where generating the at least one datastructure includes: determining that the message indicates that thefully diverse path is requested, and generating multiple data structureswhen the message indicates that the fully diverse path is requested, themultiple data structures including the first data structure and thesecond data structure, the first data structure being different from thesecond data structure.
 3. The method of claim 1, where the messageindicates whether a fully diverse path or a less-than fully diverse pathis requested, and where generating the at least one data structureincludes: determining that the message indicates that the less-thanfully diverse path is requested, and generating a single data structurewhen the message indicates that the less-than fully diverse path isrequested, the single data structure including the first data structureand the second data structure, the first data structure being part of asame data structure as the second data structure.
 4. The method of claim1, further comprising: computing the primary path using the first datastructure; and computing the secondary path using the second datastructure, the primary path including no nodes, links, or interfaces incommon with the secondary path.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: computing the primary path using the first data structure;and computing the secondary path using the second data structure, theprimary path including at least one node, link, or interface in commonwith the secondary path.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving, at a third node in a third domain, the at least one datastructure; and supplementing, by the third node, the at least one datastructure to form at least one supplemented data structure, the at leastone supplemented data structure identifying multiple diverse entrypoints to the third domain, multiple diverse exit points from the thirddomain, and the multiple diverse entry points to the second domain,where completing the at least one data structure includes: completingthe at least one supplemented data structure to form the at least onecompleted data structure, the at least one completed data structureidentifying the multiple diverse exit points from the first domain, themultiple diverse entry points to the third domain, the multiple diverseexit points from the third domain, and the multiple diverse entry pointsto the second domain.
 7. The method of claim 1, where causing thesecondary path to be established includes: sending, from the first nodein the first domain to a second node in the first domain, the seconddata structure and an instruction for the second node in the firstdomain to initiate establishment of the secondary path.
 8. A systemcomprising: a plurality of nodes in a network that includes a pluralityof sections, one or more nodes, of the plurality of nodes, beingconfigured to: transmit a message, for computing diverse paths throughthe network from a first section, of the plurality of sections, to asecond section of the plurality of sections, using a ResourceReservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) signaling protocol,the message being transmitted from a first node, in the first section,to a second node in the second section; generate, by the second node inthe second section, at least one data structure that identifies multiplediverse entry points to the second section; transmit the at least onedata structure toward the first node in the first section; complete, bythe first node in the first section, the at least one data structure toform at least one completed data structure, the at least one completeddata structure identifying multiple diverse exit points from the firstsection and the multiple diverse entry points to the second section;cause, using a first data structure of the at least one completed datastructure, a primary path from the first section to the second sectionto be established, the primary path including a first exit point, of themultiple diverse exit points from the first section, and a first entrypoint of the multiple diverse entry points to the second section; andcause, using a second data structure of the at least one completed datastructure, a secondary path from the first section to the second sectionto be established, the secondary path including a second exit point, ofthe multiple diverse exit points from the first section, and a secondentry point of the multiple diverse entry points to the second section,wherein the primary and secondary paths are not computed using a PathComputation Element (PCE).
 9. The system of claim 8, where the messageindicates whether a fully diverse path or a less-than fully diverse pathis requested, and where the second node, when generating the at leastone data structure, is configured to: determine that the messageindicates that the fully diverse path is requested, and generatemultiple data structures when the message indicates that the fullydiverse path is requested, the multiple data structures including thefirst data structure and the second data structure, the first datastructure being different from the second data structure.
 10. The systemof claim 8, where the message indicates whether a fully diverse path ora less-than fully diverse path is requested, and where the second node,when generating the at least one data structure, is configured to:determine that the message indicates that the less-than fully diversepath is requested, and generate a single data structure when the messageindicates that the less-than fully diverse path is requested, the singledata structure including the first data structure and the second datastructure, the first data structure being part of a same data structureas the second data structure.
 11. The system of claim 8, where thesecond node, when generating the at least one data structure, isconfigured to: obtain information regarding a topology of the secondsection, identify, using the information regarding the topology of thesecond section, the multiple diverse entry points to the second section,and generate the at least one data structure to identify the multiplediverse entry points to the second section.
 12. The system of claim 8,where the first node, when completing the at least one data structure,is configured to: obtain information regarding a topology of the firstsection, identify, using the information regarding the topology of thefirst section, the multiple diverse exit points from the first section,and complete the at least one data structure to identify the multiplediverse exit points from the first section.
 13. The system of claim 8,where the one or more nodes, when causing the primary path to beestablished, are configured to: transmit a signal via the first exitpoint and the first entry point to establish a first label switched pathas the primary path, and where the one or more nodes, when causing thesecondary path to be established, are configured to: transmit a signalvia the second exit point and the second entry point to establish asecond label switched path as the secondary path.
 14. The system ofclaim 8, where the one or more nodes are further configured to:establish, using a third data structure of the at least one completeddata structure, an additional secondary path from the first section tothe second section, the additional secondary path including a third exitpoint, of the multiple diverse exit points from the first section, and athird entry point of the multiple diverse entry points to the secondsection.
 15. A system comprising: a plurality of nodes in a network thatincludes a plurality of domains or layers, one or more nodes, of theplurality of nodes, being configured to: transmit a message, forcomputing diverse paths through the network from a first domain orlayer, of the plurality of domains or layers, to a second domain orlayer of the plurality of domains or layers, using a ResourceReservation Protocol-Traffic Engineering (RSVP-TE) signaling protocol,the message being transmitted from a first node, in the first domain orlayer, to a second node in the second domain or layer; generate, by thesecond node in the second domain or layer, at least one data structurethat identifies multiple diverse entry points to the second domain orlayer; transmit the at least one data structure toward the first node inthe first domain or layer; complete, by the first node in the firstdomain or layer, the at least one data structure to form at least onecompleted data structure, the at least one completed data structureidentifying multiple diverse exit points from the first domain or layerand the multiple diverse entry points to the second domain or layer; usea first data structure, of the at least one completed data structure, tocompute a primary path from the first domain or layer to the seconddomain or layer, the primary path including a first exit point, of themultiple diverse exit points from the first domain or layer, and a firstentry point of the multiple diverse entry points to the second domain orlayer; and use a second data structure, of the at least one completeddata structure, to compute a secondary path from the first domain orlayer to the second domain or layer, the secondary path including asecond exit point, of the multiple diverse exit points from the firstdomain or layer, and a second entry point of the multiple diverse entrypoints to the second domain or layer, wherein the primary and secondarypaths are not computed using a Path Computation Element (PCE).
 16. Thesystem of claim 15, where the primary path includes no nodes, links, orinterfaces in common with the secondary path, the primary pathcorresponding to a working path and the secondary path corresponding toa protection path for the working path.
 17. The system of claim 15,where the primary path includes at least one node, link, or interface incommon with the secondary path, the primary path corresponding to aworking path and the secondary path corresponding to a protection pathfor the working path.
 18. The system of claim 15, where the plurality ofnodes includes a third node in a third domain or layer of the pluralityof domains or layers, the third node being configured to: receive the atleast one data structure; and supplement the at least one data structureto form at least one supplemented data structure, the at least onesupplemented data structure identifying multiple diverse entry points tothe third domain or layer, multiple diverse exit points from the thirddomain or layer, and the multiple diverse entry points to the seconddomain or layer, where the first node, when completing the at least onedata structure, is configured to: complete the at least one supplementeddata structure to form the at least one completed data structure, the atleast one completed data structure identifying the multiple diverse exitpoints from the first domain or layer, the multiple diverse entry pointsto the third domain or layer, the multiple diverse exit points from thethird domain or layer, and the multiple diverse entry points to thesecond domain or layer.
 19. The system of claim 15, where the secondnode, when generating the at least one data structure, is configured to:obtain information regarding a topology of the second domain or layer,identify, using the information regarding the topology of the seconddomain or layer, the multiple diverse entry points to the second domainor layer, and generate the at least one data structure to identify themultiple diverse entry points to the second domain or layer.
 20. Thesystem of claim 15, where the one or more nodes are further configuredto: transmit a signal via the first exit point and the first entry pointto establish a first label switched path as the primary path; andtransmit a signal via the second exit point and the second entry pointto establish a second label switched path as the secondary path.
 21. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein said one or more of the plurality of nodesincludes a transport device comprising a plurality of line cards, eachof which being coupled to a link, such that said one or more of theplurality of nodes provides a wavelength division multiplexed opticalsignal, the link carrying the message.